mrg2001

I'm looking to get into MTB and saw this used '08 GF Tassajara for sale. The owner has made some changes to it and I would like to know if they are an improvement over the stock specs.

These are the stock specs:

Frame - Gold Series 6061 T6 internally and externally butted aluminum, Genesis Geometry
Fork - RockShox Tora 302 Solo Air w/positive air pressure, rebound, TurnKey lockout, 100mm travel
Headset - Aheadset w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Crank - Shimano M442 44/32/22, Octalink
Pedals - Alloy platform
Front Derailleur - Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur - Shimano LX
Shifters - Shimano Deore
Cassette - SRAM PG950 11-32, 9 speed
Handlebar - Bontrager Sport Riser, 25mm rise
Stem - Bontrager Sport, 10 degree
Saddle - Bontrager Race
Seatpost - Bontrager Sport
Wheels - Shimano M495 disc hubs; Bontrager Ranger disc rims
Tires - Bontrager Jones XR, 26x2.2/2.25
Brakeset - Shimano M485, hydraulic disc, 160mm rotors


And these are the changes:

Shimano LX crank
WTB saddle
LX front derailleur
Carbon bar ends
Upgraded grips
Race Face flat handle bar
Upgraded Specialized roll X tires

All comments and advise are welcome...Thanks!!

thehammerdog

the cranks are a good upgrade the bike is solid, what is the price? It is about $800 new

Flanderflop

All of those are good upgrades, although some of those are personal preferance things. For example, I like WTB saddles better than Bontrager, but that is just because that is what makes my hindside happy not a real quality difference. Flat bar vs. Riser is also personal preferance, I prefer riser, but that is me.

So there is nothing on that list that is a downgrade, but a couple are lateral moves

Duce97

For the money you are gonna spend in upgrades id just upgrade to a Hoo Koo E Koo .It can be found on sale for what you are gonna spend on the Tassajara and upgrades.

mrg2001

The owner is asking $600. A lbs has the '09 for just over $1000. Since I'm new to this I was thinking of getting a new '09 Trek 4300 Disc for around $550 but then I fount out about this other bike and got me thinking if I should buy the GF instead.

born2bahick

The tass is way better equipped than a 4300. Can you talk him down any?

jimx200

Not sure I would be inclined to spend $600. on used bike, when new can be had for a little more. Many shops are discounting due to this economy and new model year release next month. That said, if the bike is in mint perfect condition and the fit was perfect, offer the person $500. and see what happens. Good luck.

born2bahick

That's where I'm at man, the tass is way better but 600 seems a bit high to me

jjbod1

I own that exact bike. I also have made several upgrades to the bike, but to a more extreme level. Not because anything failed, but because I like nice S**T! I love the bike, plan on keeping it as long as it will have me. I payed $500 for it over a year ago completely stock, but only 2 weeks old out of a shop. The seller decided he wanted a full suspension. If the one your looking at is in good shape. I personally would offer no more than $450. even with the upgrades.

mrg2001

Thanks for the advise given so far. The owner still has the original parts as well. I still haven't seen the bike but if it is in great condition I'm thinking of offering no more than $500 for it, including the original parts. I could use them as spare parts. I've heard great things about Gary Fisher's bikes and this one is only 1 year old.

One thing that has me thinking if I should buy a new bike instead of a used one is the fact that the used one will not have the manufacturers warranty since it's not transferable. Of course it would be another model or brand. My budget is $500-600. Besides that, getting a $1000 one year old bike for half the price with additional parts doesn't sound that bad.